RARE RED-STRIPE CONDEMNED HELMET

Description

Here’s a very unique item that is seldom found in even the most advanced World War I-era
helmet collections.
This British manufactured helmet has a clear hole in the side, definitely “pick shaped.” It’s also
painted red. Overall it’s in good condition, although the liner has seen fairly significant moth
damage (see photos).
When I posted images of this helmet on a respected military antiques forum, here are the
responses I received:
“All helmet manufacturers were required to supply a helmet or steel plate from each batch of
helmets made for ballistic testing. Any batch that failed ballistic tests were given the red paint
stripe and punched hole to prevent mistaken shipment to France with good helmets. As
previously stated, other imperfections could also disqualify a batch of helmets from issue.”
“That’s a helmet that was used postwar to demonstrate Valspar paint. There was once a decal
advertising the paint where the white rectangle is.”
Again, a very rare type of helmet that you simply do not find these days. Thanks for looking.